Growing up, I always preferred playing with Dolls instead of Hot Wheels. I loved using them as my little actors, and creating little scenes (doing all the voices myself, of course). However, I never told my friends about this, and felt so much shame and embarrassment about the fact that I owned a Madame Alexander doll. I hid it during my playdates, and would think of excuses as to why I had it if someone found it (it’s for my cousin, it’s a gift, etc.) After all, dolls are girls toys. Boys are supposed to play with cars, and girls are supposed to play with dolls. But why is this? Why is the doll store called American Girl, instead of American Girls and Boys; why does a toy have to be gendered? Check out the essay I wrote about #internationalmensday in my story and what being a man means to me. Let me what you think in the comments